1939 Kentucky gubernatorial election

The 1939 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1939. Incumbent Democrat Keen Johnson defeated Republican nominee King Swope with 56.51% of the vote.

1939 Kentucky gubernatorial election

← 1935 November 7, 1939 1943 →
 
Nominee Keen Johnson King Swope
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 460,834 354,704
Percentage 56.51% 43.49%

Johnson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Swope:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election

Keen Johnson
Democratic

Elected Governor

Keen Johnson
Democratic

Primary elections edit

Primary elections were held on August 5, 1939.[1]

Democratic primary edit

Candidates edit

Results edit

 
Results by county:
  Johnson
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  Brown
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
Democratic primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Keen Johnson 270,731 52.47
Democratic John Y. Brown Sr. 236,734 45.88
Democratic Charles D. Arnett 6,802 1.32
Democratic Ulysses G. Foster 1,754 0.34
Total votes 516,021 100.00

Republican primary edit

Candidates edit

Results edit

Republican primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican King Swope 121,297 59.46
Republican John Sherman Cooper 73,305 35.94
Republican L. O. Smith 7,187 3.52
Republican G. Tom Hawkins 2,195 1.08
Total votes 203,984 100.00

General election edit

Candidates edit

  • Keen Johnson, Democratic
  • King Swope, Republican

Results edit

1939 Kentucky gubernatorial election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Keen Johnson (incumbent) 460,834 56.51%
Republican King Swope 354,704 43.49%
Majority 106,130
Turnout
Democratic hold Swing

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN 9781568029818. Retrieved April 14, 2020.